The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine, finding that there is no credible evidence linking his current condition to his military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracic and lumbar spine was less likely than not incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury, event, or illness due to the lack of supporting medical evidence of chronicity of care for 20 years post service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 7, 2024
- Citation
- 24011042
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 24011042.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's back condition, which includes degenerative disc disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine, is granted a disability rating of 40 percent from January 23, 2012 to May 30, 2013. This decision resolves an earlier denial by the Board.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate since August 10, 2017 due to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability. Prior to this date, SMC was denied as his other service-connected disabilities did not combine to reach a rating of 60 percent.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted a 20% rating for the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine from December 28, 2010 to January 27, 2011. The claim for an increased rating prior to July 16, 2015 is denied.
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